Boris Becker is convinced he knows Alexander Zverev’s big problem after his disappointing start to 2025
Boris Becker Identifies Key Issue Behind Alexander Zverev’s Struggles in 2025
Alexander Zverev’s challenging start to the 2025 season has raised concerns, with the German failing to progress deep into tournaments despite being the top seed in his last five events.
Following Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension, expectations were high for the world No. 2, who had reached the Australian Open final earlier in the year. However, since that loss to Sinner, Zverev has not advanced past a semi-final, suffering early exits in Argentina, Mexico, and Indian Wells.
Becker Pinpoints Zverev’s Mental Battle
German tennis legend Boris Becker believes Zverev’s biggest struggle is a lack of self-confidence. Speaking on the Becker Petkovic Podcast, the six-time Grand Slam champion highlighted the mental aspect of Zverev’s recent losses.
“It always starts with mentality. Right now, he doesn’t seem as self-assured as he was in Melbourne or at the end of last year,” Becker observed.
He questioned whether confidence could be trained:
“In Florida, there are elite training centers for forehand and backhand, for fitness. But is there a school for mentality, self-belief, and inner peace? I don’t think so. He needs to find someone who can help him with that because right now, it’s the difference between winning and losing.”
Zverev’s Recent Struggles and Pattern of Losses
Zverev’s recent defeats have followed a concerning trend—losing tight matches despite having a lead in deciding sets:
| Tournament | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Open – 4R | Arthur Fils | 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 |
| Indian Wells – 2R | Tallon Griekspoor | 6-4, 6-7, 6-7 |
| Rio Open – QF | Francisco Comesana | 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 |
| Argentina Open – QF | Francisco Cerundolo | 6-3, 3-6, 2-6 |
Becker noted that these matches weren’t lost due to technical or physical shortcomings but rather a mental lapse when it mattered most.
“He was leading in the third set against Fils, Comesana, and Griekspoor but couldn’t close it out. That’s not about fitness or forehand technique—that’s mental.”
Petkovic Praises Zverev’s Work Ethic
Despite his struggles, Becker’s podcast co-host Andrea Petkovic praised Zverev’s relentless training approach.
“I watched him closely in Miami, and he was working harder than ever. He wasn’t just training at home in Florida—he was at every available practice court in Miami, training for hours.”
She emphasized his dedication, saying:
“You have to give it to him—he’s a damn hard worker.”
Zverev’s ATP Rankings Position and Next Tournament
Zverev remains world No. 2 but has failed to capitalize on Sinner’s absence.
| Rank | Player | Points | Gap to No. 1 | Matches Won Post-Australian Open | Tournaments Played Post-Australian Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jannik Sinner | 10,330 | – | – | – |
| 2 | Alexander Zverev | 7,645 | 2,685 | 6 | 5 |
| 3 | Carlos Alcaraz | 6,720 | 3,610 | 11 | 4 |
| 4 | Taylor Fritz | 5,290 | 5,040 | 8 | 4 |
| 5 | Novak Djokovic | 4,510 | 5,820 | 5 | 3 |
Zverev will look to turn things around at the Monte-Carlo Masters, starting April 7, where he hopes to regain his form and confidence.
